For the Star Journal

RHINELANDER – The Oneida County Highway Department is reminding motorists that winter is here and with winter comes occasional snow covered and slippery roads. Wednesday morning could be one of those occasions.

The National Weather Service in Green Bay has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the area from 9 p.m. tonight though 6 p.m. Wednesday. It calls for three to six inches of snow and increased winds which add up to possible hazardous travel conditions.

The highway department says drivers should all extra time to get to their destination, slow down, and be alert for snowplows.

A few safety tips to keep in mind:

• Snowplows typically travel at 25-35 mph, which in many cases is significantly slower than the posted speeds. The driver’s field of vision is also restricted.
• It is illegal (s.346.915, Wis. Stats.) to follow a snowplow closer than 200 feet upon any highway having a posted speed limit of more than 35 mph if the snowplow is engaged in snow and ice removal – 75 feet if the posted speed limit is 35 miles per hour or less.
• It is also illegal (s.86.01, Wis. Stats.) to plow or blow snow into the traveling roadway on a highway or a town road. Fines can range between $10 – $100 dollars per occurrence.